Pubdate: Thu, 01 Dec 2016
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2016 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/send_a_letter
Website: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Authors: Pierre Plourde & Mike Payne
Page: A7

FIGHTING TOGETHER ON WORLD AIDS DAY

TODAY marks World AIDS Day. We celebrate advances made in the fight
against HIV, look back on how far we've come and honour those we've
lost, while also looking to the future and what we have left to accomplish.

Last year, 102 people in Manitoba were diagnosed with HIV, joining
more than 1,250 living with HIV in the province and 78,000 across Canada.

Late diagnosis and limited access to services outside Winnipeg
continue to be challenges, but there are success stories. For example,
Manitoba has a relatively low rate of HIV among people who use drugs.
In 2014, 12 per cent of new HIV diagnoses in Manitoba could be traced
back to drug use, generally from sharing needles. The same year, the
number in Saskatchewan was 49 per cent.

One possible reason? Winnipeg was an early adopter of harm-reduction
policies and services more than a decade ago. Harm reduction is an
approach that looks to reduce the harms of drugs (such as the spread
of HIV) instead of just trying to reduce drug use itself. One of the
most effective harm-reduction strategies is the distribution of
needles to people who use drugs.

By reducing the risks that come from sharing drug supplies, needle
distribution is cost-effective, with an estimated four dollars saved
for every one dollar spent.

Stopping the spread of HIV will take more than just needles. HIV is
again on the rise in some Manitoba communities. Stigma and
discrimination continue to affect certain groups, making them afraid
to access care and, in general, feel less safe. This includes people
who use drugs, sexual minorities, sex workers and the people around
them and people already living with HIV. In these areas, a
public-health approach - using harm-reduction principles - is lacking.

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority first officially endorsed
harm-reduction principles in a 2008 position statement. This past
year, the statement was revised in two important ways.

First, the statement moves beyond needles, to also think about the
harms caused by stigma and discrimination. This includes thinking
about the relationship between communities and the criminal justice
system.

Second, instead of only looking at drugs, the new statement considers
how a harm-reduction approach can also apply to issues around sex work
and HIV disclosure. The cornerstone of this approach will be working
more closely with communities so our priorities better align with theirs.

Our revised position statement continues to build on what we've
already accomplished. Working with communities affected by HIV and
seeing things from their perspective is the only way we'll fight HIV
together.

This year's World AIDS Day theme is Hands Up for #HIVprevention. The
campaign created by UNAIDS asks people to think about what is still
needed to fight HIV and to share pictures on social media with the
idea written on their palm. Nine Circles is running a contest to
encourage organizations and individuals to participate. For all the
details, as well as campaign materials, visit
http://www.bit.ly/HandsUpToolkit.

We'll be writing "Stop the Stigma" on our palms.

Pierre Plourde is a medical officer of health with the Winnipeg Regional 
Health Authority. Mike Payne is the executive director of
Nine Circles Community Health Centre.
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MAP posted-by: Matt